MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(JARED'S POV)

I stood there, my heart pounding, my mind filled with chaotic thoughts. No, this didn't feel right.

My heart sank at Sofia's words, but my instinct told me that her face the way she was acting, like she had some big revelation-felt off. I'd dealt with her enough to know when she was up to something, and right now, I could feel she was hiding something. But she spoke so confidently about Dwayne entering the room, as if it was crystal clear in her mind. Could there be any truth to what she said?

Was it possible that Sofia's statement was not completely groundless?

The thought made me pause, a flicker of doubt creeping in.

If Sofia is really deliberately making trouble, why did she link Dwayne and Arielle together? Could something really happen between them?

The image of Arielle and Dwayne together flashed in my mind, and I had to shake it away. No, I couldn't let panic cloud my judgment. This was Sofia's usual play-spinning webs of confusion to manipulate others for her own gain.

Right now, the only thing that mattered was protecting Arielle. I couldn't let my emotions get tangled up in this mess. Whatever Sofia was plotting, I had to deal with it on my terms. I had to see this through myself, without dragging others into it. I couldn't trust Sofia.

I turned to her sharply, my gaze cold. Whatever she thought she was doing, it was over now.

"Get out," I said, my voice firm, determined. I couldn't let her spread her lies any further.

But she wouldn't back down. "I want the crew to go in and search now-" she started, but before she could finish, the door swung open, and there she was.

Arielle.

She stood, eyes drowsy and hair disheveled like one who had just been woken up from a long nap.

"What's going on? Can't one sleep in peace again?" She asked, looking around at the crowd of people outside her door.

For a moment, Sofia looked taken aback, and I couldn't help but frown. What had she expected?

But she quickly regained her composure, flashing a tight smile. "Excuse me, Miss Meyers. I saw someone who took my things come in here earlier. If you don't mind, may I come in and look for it?"

Arielle raised an eyebrow. "This is my room. I'm sure no one's been in here. You're trespassing now. Don't you need evidence or a search warrant?"

Her words were calm, but there was a sharp edge to her tone. Then her eyes narrowed as they locked onto Sofia, and I felt the tension crackle between them.

Sofia's smile only widened. That confirmation in her expression sent a cold wave of dread through me.

"Enough, Sofia. Stop making trouble," I said, voice firm, trying to reign in the situation.

But Sofia wasn't having it. "Arielle, I consider you a friend. You can't be so stingy that you won't let me search for my own things. That watch is very valuable. Jared gave it to me."

I inhaled sharply, fighting to keep my temper in check. But Arielle placed a calming hand on mine before I spoke again, her smiling softly. Her voice was smooth as she said, "Fine, go ahead. Bring your helper." Sofia sneered, "I'll do just that."

Arielle opened the door, and we all filed in. The room was small, but impeccably neat. Nothing was out of place, nothing hidden. Sofia's face slowly drained of color as she scoured every inch of the room and the lavatory, her movements growing more frantic, more desperate. She walked back to us, empty-handed.

"Satisfied, Miss Detective?" Arielle asked, her smile icy, sharper than I'd ever seen it.

The crowd had thinned, leaving only a few lingering, including Ashley, who stepped up to Arielle and took her hand.

Sofia, however, was relentless. "But... I saw Dwayne come in earlier," she insisted, her eyes darting around the room, scanning for any sign of him. The cabin was too small for people to hide, and even if Dwayne had been there, he wasn't now. What was she even trying to prove?

Arielle's glare was cold, colder than I'd ever seen it, and I couldn't help but step closer to her, my own concern rising. "Are you okay?" I asked, keeping my voice low, trying to reassure her.

She met my gaze with a frigid look, her eyes hard. "For the last time, I never want to see Sofia again."

Sofia, still fixated on the room, suddenly pointed toward the porthole. "He might've jumped into the sea through the window! You can never trust a thief," she shouted, her voice trailing after me.

The absurdity of her words only fueled my anger, but I forced myself to stay composed. She was clearly unraveling, and it was obvious no one else was taking her seriously anymore.

I rubbed my temples, fighting to keep my patience. "Sofia," I said, my voice low but cutting. "One last time: Get out, or I'll have my people escort you out."

Her face crumpled with fake hurt, but I wasn't interested in her drama anymore. I was done.

I stepped closer to Arielle. This was the first real chance I'd had to talk to her since boarding the boat. I opened my mouth to speak, but stopped when I felt her trembling against me. My frown deepened as I instinctively reached for her hand, only to realize how cold she was. Her arm was covered in water droplets, her body tense.

For a moment, my mind went blank. "Was Dwayne really here just now?" I whispered, feeling the weight of the question in my chest.

Arielle nodded, her expression unreadable.

I hesitated, then asked, "So... he really jumped into the sea?"

She sighed, a long, exasperated sound. "He climbed out the window. He's probably enjoying the breeze on the deck by now," she said, her voice thick with sarcasm.

I raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to believe her. So... was Sofia right? Were Arielle and Dwayne...?

Just as my mind spun with doubts, a figure suddenly appeared from above, descending from the air like a sleek cat. Dwayne landed smoothly on the deck, right in front of Sofia, who was still ranting, her mouth agape. Her eyes widened in shock, and she staggered back, her face draining of color.

But in a heartbeat, she regained her composure, her anger flaring once again. "So I was right! You were here!" she spat, pointing at him accusingly.

Dwayne raised an eyebrow, cool as ever. "Sorry you didn't catch me for your twisted little drama," he said dryly.

"You...you think you're some kind of hero, don't you?" She spat, her voice biting. "Saving her, protecting her. Do you think she even cares? I know you've been pining for her for years now, but does she notice you? She's a monster with no emotions, that's why. She doesn't care about Jared, and she doesn't care about you, either. She's a cold-blooded animal without a heart! Why are you both risking your lives for her-"

I felt my blood boil at Sofia's words, and took a step forward, ready to shut her down. But before I could, Dwayne was already moving.

In one fluid motion, he raised his hand and slapped her across the face. The sound of it cracked through the air, and Sofia stumbled back, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"That's for constantly targeting Arielle," Dwayne said, his voice surprisingly calm and controlled. Sofia's face had turned red, and she looked like she was about to explode.

Arielle's hand tightened around

mine, just a brief squeeze. I sighed,

but didn't stop Dwayne. As much as it was unethical to hit a woman, I couldn't deny the fact that Sofia deserved whatever she was getting, all of it. I found myself unable to understand her obsession with Arielle and why she wouldn't stop trying to hurt and ruin her reputation. It just didn't make sense to me.

Part of my reasons for getting involved with Tiana was to get Sofia's attention off Arielle, yet, somehow, she kept seeking Arielle out. It was like she had an eternal Vendetta against Arielle, one that she wasn't willing to let go. I couldn't ignore the truth: Sofia had gone too far, and Arielle had suffered for it.noveldrama

Before Sofia could even process the first slap, Dwayne grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer. "You've crossed a line, Sofia. Again. And if you think you're going to get away with it this time..." His voice dropped to a deadly calm.CA small slap, compared to all the damage you've done to Arielle over the years. I usually avoid dealing directly with women-your bodies are fragile, unlike men. You know... men can lose hands, feet, fingers, toes, ears, noses, eyes, and still survive. But can you?"

Sofia's body began to tremble violently, her breath coming in short gasps. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Enough, Dwayne," I said, my voice low but firm. "Let her go."

Dwayne glanced at me, his lips curling into a half-smile that barely touched his eyes. But then he released Sofia's wrist, stepping back. His eyes remained on her, cold and unblinking. "Think carefully before you target anyone again," he said, even smiling.

Sofia's face was puffy with imprints of fingerprints, her eyes subdued with humiliation. She looked like she had seen a demon behind Dwayne's calm exterior. I could understand why. The way Dwayne spoke sent a shiver through me as well, even though I wasn't the one he was threatening.

Right before me, I watched her shrink back. The anger, the bravado that had flared so fiercely moments ago, was now nothing but a flickering ember.